Q: I was recently involved in a near mishap at work. I tripped and fell in the shop just as one of our trucks was backing into it. The driver of the truck could not hear my shouts but, lucky for me, one of my workmates got his attention and he stopped the vehicle. Had […] Read more
Farm Living
Anxiety from traumatic event lingers
Finding inspiration in light bulb moments
Passion for industry allowed Becky Parker to travel around the work to gather ideas and solutions to challenges facing Canadian agriculture
There are people who like their jobs, those who tolerate their jobs and the unfortunate ones who hate their jobs. Becky Parker is one of the lucky ones. She loves her work, educating students about the opportunities in Canada’s agri-food sector. “I love that light bulb moment. When you’re talking to students … I love […] Read more
Family enjoys lifestyle despite challenges
PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — The Grassicks have weathered many storms, whether it was tanking cattle prices during the BSE crisis or a devastating plow wind. Cattle prices have now returned to healthy levels, and the cleanup from the 2012 storm at their farm east of Prince Albert is largely complete. Family patriarch Gordon Grassick said […] Read more
Be creative marketing products, promoting farm
Producers who want to sell direct to consumers should remember that the farm gate swings both ways, says Joe Pozzi. The commercial sheep and cattle rancher from California’s Sonoma County has been marketing farm-based products for 25 years. “When we talk about opening a gate, we talk about how we bring people to the farm […] Read more
Healthy dishes, drinks to toast the new year
I always look forward to getting back into the routine after the holidays, but there is an expectation this time of year to be tackling our resolutions list. These expectations can be stressful and we end up feeling defeat instead of renewal. Rather than focusing on resolutions, recognize that small positive changes to our life […] Read more
Disagreements are solved by talking, not shouting
Q: My partner and I have been together for almost six years. For the most part this has been good. Each of us has children from previous marriages, but all of them are getting older now and my partner and I are able to enjoy moments alone together. However, we are having a bit of […] Read more
Book tells stories from Zambia
Marianne Stamm will always be a mzungu, the Swahili word for white person or foreigner. After 10 trips to Zambia, where she and her husband, Robert, worked on agricultural projects designed to help Zambians learn more productive farming methods, she wrote a book about her experiences as a mzungu but also as a friend and […] Read more
Enjoy old-time favourites from around the world
Canada’s winter festive season is as diverse as its people. From Diwali to Hanukkah to Christmas, Orthodox Christmas and Chinese New Year, there is no lack of reason to put on a feast during these wintry days. Many recipes are handed down from generation to generation and it is often a challenge for the modern […] Read more
Couple’s love of farming spills over to children
ROSTHERN, Sask. — Livestock lessons begin early on the Lehmanns’ Saskvalley Stock Farm. “We teach them from a very young age to respect the animal,” said Karen Lehmann, whose children play a big role when the family is working cattle. They are at school this day as her husband, Barry, and his brother, Murray, move […] Read more
Low dollar doesn’t have to mean staying home this winter
Canadians planning a winter vacation are likely learning that the fastest thing heading south is the Canadian dollar. However, it is possible to travel well internationally without breaking the bank by taking time to research the options. We’ve been through this before when, 15 years ago, the loonie was even lower. The big difference now […] Read more
